The Cartographers’ Guild is a forum created by and for map makers and aficionados, a place where every aspect of cartography can be admired, examined, learned, and discussed. Our membership consists of professional designers and artists, hobbyists, and amateurs—all are welcome to join and participate in the quest for cartographic skill and knowledge.

Although we specialize in maps of fictional realms, as commonly used in both novels and games (both tabletop and role-playing), many Guild members are also proficient in historical and contemporary maps. Likewise, we specialize in computer-assisted cartography (such as with GIMP, Adobe apps, Campaign Cartographer, Dundjinni, etc.), although many members here also have interest in maps drafted by hand.

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Hello! :)

Right then, first time posting, no pressure...

I'm a second year university student, who became rather enthralled with DnD over the past couple of months. I enjoy those few hours each week when I can put my own routine on hold and instead take up the persona of a affable, italian-accented mercenary or a forlorn ranger who forever longs to be out in the wilds of the world. I love being able to take a character sheet, with lists of stats and feats and gear specs, and weaving it into the story of a deep, believable character as he/she embarks out into a vast, historically and culturally rich world of possibilities, whether for the sake of saving the world itself, or merely for the simple pleasures of personal gain.

It is with this in mind, that I designed a map of my first character's homeland for my GM to incorporate into our campaign. I spent an open afternoon or two creating it - and admittedly I was rather rushed to finish it, so the final product is far from what I intended. But since that first attempt, I've felt the itch to start up another map, another story, another world.

Now that my group's first campaign is over, I've offered to GM the next campaign in the coming semester. And apart from a captivating story, I really want to create a map that helps to draw my players, and me, into the game world.

And so, seeking to both improve my skills and to cultivate this newfound hobby, here I am.

If anyone is interested in my first map, I suppose I could post that. Though be warned, it's far from anything I've seen on this site so far.

Welcome to the Guild Strado! Your enthusiasm is contagious, I am sure you will make a wonderful GM. As to refining your skills at map-making, you have definitely come to the right place. There are many fine tutorials here (in the tutorials section) that will help you to refine your skills and to learn new tips and tricks. Feel free to post up any of your work, and don't be embarrassed at all, while there are some incredibly talented artists here, we are a community of widely mixed talent and skill, and a big part of what we do is help each other grow and improve. Look forward to seeing your work.